Electrical stop motion for knitting machines



Oct. 6, 1953 w. o. HEYNE ELECTRICAL STOP MOTION FOR'KNITTING MACHINES 5Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 16, 1950 Oct. 6, 1953 w. o. HEYNE 2,654,233

7 ELECTRICAL STOP MOTION FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Sept, 16. 1950 5Sheets-Sheet Inventor //7///m 0 lay/A2 By Oct. 6, 1953 w. o. HEYNE2,654,238

ELECTRICAL STOP MOTION FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 16, 1950 5Sheets-Sheet 5 Inventor [Ml/aw 0, 1667/12 00L 1953 v I w. o. HEYNE ,238

ELECTRICAL STOP MOTION FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 16, 1950 5Sheets-Sheet4 F/G. 5 i 59 3 4 36 37 5/ m r llllllllllllf ""'j I 1"i'n'mw%" iwlll mu 5 HIIIIH Oct. 6, 1953 w. o. HEYhJE 2,654,238

ELECTRICAL STOlP MOTION FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 16, 1950 5Sheets-Sheet 5 I nventor a group of yarn-controlled devices which formpart of the stop motion of the knitting machine, and a structureincorporating a group of yarnfailure devices, indicated at II, alsoincluded in the stop motion. The yarn-failure group II forms no part ofthe present invention but is the subject of my co-pending patentapplication Serial No. 192,194, filed October 26, 1950.

The structures It! and H are both secured to a pair of spaced upri htbars !2 and I3 which conveniently are, as illustrated, undulated alongtheir length and provided with a series of holes Hi for receivingfastening means. The bars [2 and 53 are supported by an upstandingpillar 55, provided in the superstructure of the knitting machine, bymeans of a pair of arms l6 and I1 diverging from a common sleeve on pllar l5 and with flan e plates I3 at their outer ends which are attachedby bolts I3 passed into appropriate'holes M.

Yarn lengths 29. for the feeders of the knitting machine are suppliedfrom two rows of relatively staggered bobbins 2i and, after traversingthe structure H, pass upwards over the individual tension-responsivedevices of the structure I!) and then down again, over a guide bar 22,to their respective feeders.

The structure [0 comprises a straight, pressed sheet metal casing 23which is closed at the back by a removable cover 24 and has a pair oflugs 25 at the upper and lower sides thereof for attachment to the barsl2 and 13.

To enable the construction and functioning of the tension-responsivemechanism to be understood, I will now describe one of the individualdevices, since all these devices are similarly constructed and arranged.

This device includes a yarn guide spindle 26 which is rotatably mountedin a bearing boss 21 on the front side 28 of the casing 23. To the outerend of the spindle 26 is secured a cylindrical fitting 29 which isdrilled to receive a yarn guide arm 30. This latter is constituted by alength of metal rod or stout wire which is crooked at its outer, operatve end portion to produce a substantially V-shaped formation 3| forreceiving and guiding a yarn length 22, this portion 3| having its axisnearly parallel with the main length 32 of the arm. The arm isadjustable in the fitting 29 to vary its eifective length and thus theleverage action of the yarn on the spindle 26, so enabling the arm to beset to different degrees of tension. A set screw 33 is provided forfixing the arm 30 in position after adjustment.

Rigidly secured to the inner end of the spindle 26 is a thin disc 34 ofgood electrically conducting metal, e. g. brass, constituting themovable contact of a knife switch. Thus, this disc has a radiallyprojecting nose portion 35 of more or less rectangular shape whichco-operates with a pair of closely spaced parallel blades 35 of springmetal secured in insulated fashion to a mounting plate 38, with the useof non-conducting washers 31. The plate 38 is itself secured to thefront wall 28 of the casing by nuts 39 and bolts #53, again with the useof insulating washers 4!.

The disc 34 is peripherally recessed at a part spaced from the nose 35to form a pair of angularly spaced shoulders 41 and 42, and the mountingplate 33 is furnished with an out-turned lug 33 forming a stop which issited in the path of the shoulders 4| and 42 and co-operates with theseto determine the limits of, the angular turning movement of the disc.

The nose 35 of disc 34 is centrally slotted at 44 to receive a pin 35between the two arms of a bifurcated cylindrical element 43. At itsinner end the slot is of somewhat greater width than the diameter of thepin 45. Secured to element 43 is a stem 41, this stem passing through anopening, horizontally aligned with the guide spindle 2E, in a flange 38bent out of the mounting plate 38 so as to be capable of sliding, and alimited pivoting movement, relatively to this flange. Located around thestem at its nether end and bearing against flange 48 is a cup 43 whichserves to locate and support one end of a loaded compression spring 50,the other end of which is connected to the element 46.

Hence the spring 53 is supported against cup 49 and acts on a fixedpoint on the disc 34, and when the axis of the stem 41 intersects thespindle 25 the spring 59 is disposed in a dead centre position.

In the normal position illustrated in full lines in Figure 4 and inFigure 5 of the drawings, the stem 47 is located beneath this deadcentre position that is to say the guide arm portion 32 is inclinedupwards at an angle to the horizontal and the stem 41 and spring 53 areinclined slightly downwards from the outer end and press the shoulder l!of disc 34 against stop 43. In

this condition the knife switch is open and the yarn runs over the loop3| as seen in Figure 4.

Light tensions on the yarn length 22 will pull the arm 33 downwardsslightly and move the shoulder 45 temporarily clear of its stop but,depending on the setting of arm 33, not to an angular extent suflicientto swing the stem 41 beyond its dead centre position.

If, however, the yarn becomes unduly tensioned, then the stem l'lwill beswung beyond this dead centre position. The fact that the pin 43 has alittle lateral play in the bottom of slot 34 militates against anysticking or jamming in the dead centre position and ensures that thetransfer will take place positively from one side of this position tothe other. As a result the spring 59 will expand to throw the disc rounduntil the shoulder 42 thereof collides with the stop 43 and stops thedisc. Thus the arm 30 will be swung rapidly downwards, as illustrated inFigure 6, instantaneously relieving the yarn tension and dropping it outof the, loop 3|.

By this same action the nose 35 of the disc 34 enters between the blades36, so closing the electrical switch. Each pair of blades 36 has arearwardly-projecting lug 5i, and these pairs are all connected to acommon conductor or bus-bar. 52 which extends to the end of the casingto be connected to a terminal 53 mounted on an insulating block 54. Thusclosure of any one of the knife switches by undue tensioning of thecorresponding length of running yarn will result in grounding of theconductor 52. This will energize a control circuit, such as thatdiagrammatically in dicated in Figure 1, to excite the windings 54 andactuate a solenoid 55 to close a switch 56 effective to causede-clutching of the drive of the knitting machine. The latter willtherefore come to a standstill.

When the faulty yarn length, which will be detected if only by thedropping of the corresponding arm 30, has been replaced or corrected,the machine can be set running again. To provide for the re-setting ofthe thrown-down arm or arms, the opening of the afiected knife switch orswitches and the conditioning of the assembly for re-use, we havedevised a re-setting mechanism common to all devices of the group.

This comprises .a bar 5! extendinginand alon the casing '23 and guidedand supported an undercut. recess in a. turther. outstandin 111s on eachof the mounting plates 3&- Illis; e

carries a series of nits-5 h one. cprrespondine e ch disc .34., andthese latter each. ha e a; p te t n min 6.8 for contact with, therelated, nib. at its operating end the re-setting bar 5! slidesin an endwall. el of thecasin 2'3 and, at a d st n from th s pa t, has pin 6.2;vfor anchoring the end of a return tension spring .63 which is connectedto the Wall 61., At its outer side the latter is. furnished with abracket 54. havin a pai or arms b tween. which is pivot d: a lever 55.

latt r has an nd piec 65. bearingagainst a rod-term xtension 61 of thbar-51 which i 19 v-ided with a. collar 5'8 a utting against the ase ingwall 6!. The end piece 66 carries an ad- .iustable limiting stud 6:9;isee F gure 3.)-

priate nib or nibs 59 carrying around any pin l in the path thereof, soswinging any tripped disc 3-4 back, as exemplified in Figure 7, to itsoriginal or normal position.

It will be understood that modifications of the structure described. arepossible within the scope of the invention. For example the electricalswitches may be arranged to close a. circuit through the removable coverplate.

Again, it will be appreciated that the structure may include as manyyarn tension-responsive devices as may be required. In fact it in someinstances, be convenient to have one only of these devices, with themechanism housed in a comparatively short casing.

It will further be understood that yarn-controlled devices and roups ofdevices according to this invention are applicable to the stop motionsof circular knitting machines, as Well as to straight-bar or flatknitting machines.

What I claim then is:

1. In or for the electrical stop motion of a knitting machine, a controldevice responsive to the tension of running yarn and comprising asupport, a yarn guide pivotally mounted on said support, an electricalswitch for controlling the operation of said stop motion, rotary meanson said support for controlling the opening and closing of said switchand connected to said yarn guide to rotate in response to movement ofthe latter, and spring means on said support acting at a fixed point onsaid rotary means to oppose rotation thereof up to a predeterminedangular position thereof and reinforce this rotation beyond theaforesaid position.

2. Inor for the electrical stop motion of a knitting machine, a controldevice responsive to the tension of running yarn and comprising asupport, a yarn guide pivotally mounted on said support, a memberrotatably mounted on said support and movable with said guide, fixedcontact means for incorporation in the stop motion, movable contactmeans on said rotary member for cooperation with said fixed contactmeans, and a compression spring mounted at one end on said support andconnected at its other end to said rotary member, said spring having itsaxis normally disposed on one side of the dead-centre line joining itsmounted end to the rotatable axis of said rotary member but adapted, ata. predetermined yarn tension applied on said guide, to be swung to theother side of said dead centre line-by therotarymember, whereby itsact-ion on theilatter chances 13cmv a retarding to. an. acceloration rrotary movement...

a. In or ion the. electr cal, stop mo ion of;- a machines control,device re pons ve t the tension of running yarn and comprising asupport; a uide pivotally mounted on sa suppo t. a n1. ..:e memb rrotatablymounted on said support and movab e w th. said uide. a ai atopposed fixed c ntact: blad s n. sa d supp rt. amenable contact on. sa drotary m m er f r contact n ement between d. contact blad s. and springmeans on said supp rt a ting n. said plat memherto opp se. rot n he ofup to a predetermined an ular pos ion. and rei f rc this rotation bey dvthe eiores id Posi ioni- In or tor the electrical, stop. motionv of aknitting machine. a ont l d vice. re porsive t tension of; r. s ya andcompr si g a support. ram gu de p votally moun ed on id support, a p atemember rota b y m unted on said support and movable with said guide;fixed ccn'tacts, an ovable contact, on said rotary member contact. engaem n b n s id fixed ccntacts, a compress-ion spring mounted at one endon said simport, and a pin carried by the other nd of sai spring. a d enaging wi h. la eral; play in the bottom of a slot in said plate member.

'5, In or for the electrical stop motion of a knittin machin a c ntrolevi responsivev t the tension of running yarn and comprising a support,a yarn guide pivotally mounted on said support, an electrical switch forcontrolling the operation of said stop motion, rotary means on saidsupport connected to said yarn guide and rotatable in responseto'movement of the latter, spring means on said support acting on saidrotary means to oppose rotation thereof up to a predetermined angularposition and reinforce this rotation beyond the aforesaid position, stopmeans for delimiting the rotary travel of said rotary means, andmechanical means for re-setting said rotary means and restoring theparts to their original position after operation.

6. In or for the electrical stop motion of a knitting machine, a controldevice responsive to the tension of running yarn and comprising asupport, a yarn guide spindle pivotally mounted on said support a yarnguide arm of variable efiective length adjustably secured to saidspindle, said arm having a V-formation at its outer end for receivingthe yarn, a plate member secured to said yarn guide spindle a pair ofopposed fixed contact blades on said support, a movable contact on saidrotary member for contact engagement between said contact blades andspring means on said support acting on said plate member to opposerotation thereof up to a predetermined angular position and reinforcethis rotation beyond th aforesaid position.

7. In or for the electrical stop motion of a knitting machine, a controldevice responsive to the tension of running yarn and comprising asupport, a yarn guide spindle pivotally mounted on said support a yarnguide arm of variable effective length adjustably secured to saidspindle, said arm having a V-formation at its outer end for receivingthe yarn, a plate member secured to said yarn guide spindle a pair ofopposed fixed contact blades on said support, a movable contact on saidrotary member for contact engagement between said contact blades, acompression spring mounted at one end on said support, a pin carried bythe other end of said spring and 7 engaging with lateral play in thebottom of a slot in said plate member, stop means for delimiting therotary travel of said plate member, and mechanical means for re-settingsaid rotary means and restoring the parts to their original positionafter operation.

8. In or for the electrical stop motion of a knitting machine, a controldevice responsive to the tension of running yarn and comprising acasing, and a plurality of yarn-tension responsive devices carried bysaid, casing, each said device including a yarn guide pivotally mountedon said casing, an electrical switch for controlling the operation or"said stop motion, rotary means on said casing for controlling theopening and closing of said switch and connected to said yarn guide torotate in response to movement of the latter, and spring means on saidcasing acting at a fixed point on said rotary meansto oppose rotationthereof up to a predetermined angular position and reinforce thisrotation beyond the aforesaid position.

9, In or for the electrical stop motion of a knitting machine, a controldevice responsive to the tension of running yarn and comprising acasing, an electrical conductor extending along and mounted in insulatedmanner in said casing, and a plurality of yarn tension responsivedevices carried by said casing, each said device including a switchplate rotatably mounted in said casing and carrying a movable contact,fixed contact means insulatedly mounted in said casing and connected tosaid electrical conductor, a yarn guide arm pivotally mounted on saidcasing and connected to the switch plate, and spring means connected tosaid casing and to a fixed point on said switch plate and arranged tooppose rotation thereof up to a predetermined angular position of theplate and thereafter to hasten this rotation.

10. A control device according to claim 9, including common mechanicalmeans for re-setting the parts after operation.

11. A control device according to claim 10, in which the mechanicalmeans include a common re-setting slide movable longitudinally in thecasing and formed to contact and rotate in th return direction eachoperated switch plate, and operating means for this slide locatedoutside the casing.

12. A control device according to claim 11, in which the operating meansinclude a manuallyactuated pivoted lever, and return spring meansconnected to said slide and to the casing.

WILLIAM OSCAR HEYNE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 2,335,979 Wachsman Dec. 7, 1943 2,432,953 Vossen Dec. 16, 19472,537,000 Stibbe et al Jan. 2, 1951

